Good Bye Corvallis...Hellooooo Palm Springs :)

My family and I are all packed up for our Christmas vacation. We will be heading out to Palm Springs (where its about sixty degrees...take that Oregon!) at about two thirty tomorrow afternoon. I personnally do not like airplanes...all the random people that I have to sit next too give me anxiety :) Its silly actually. I mean, I can go out and talk to all the homeless people on the street, but I am afraid to strike up a convo with the normal people in all the public places I frequent. Ridiculous. We just opened up a few early Christmas that we couldn't quite fit in our bags. Mom got the boys a Wii Fit which is awesome! I only got to experience two days of its wonderful, entertaining, magical work outs before leaving it behind. sniff sniff. Oh well..sigh.
I am now all packed up for Mexico since I will be heading there after my family flies back home on Jan. 3. I will be spending a couple nights at one of my fellow Ventanero's house before meeting up with my team in San Diego on Jan. 5. I am so excited now that its finally happening. It seemed so far off when I first came home, but now that its upon me, I can hardly treasure my time with my family enough. They are all so precious to me, and its been amazing just being able to rest at home with them and play tripoly til the night grows old :) Palm Springs is going to provide an awesome good bye for us, and I know the time will go so quickly I won't even be able to believe it. So, so long friends and family! I love you all soooo much and thank you for the fun time and memories you have provided me with! I'll keep y'all updated!
Mikaela

Home At Last...ahhhh

I have been home for almost two weeks, and its been a crazy time. We had 22 family members over at our house for Thanksgiving which was absolutely insane but amazingly fun. And then my mom and I were sick for almost four days, and now I am getting back into the routine of seeing friends and even babysitting! (If anyone needs a sitter during these next couple weeks, feel free to give me a call.) Its been so awesome seeing my family again, and playing with my puppy Charlie. It almost felt like a dream walking into my house and sleeping in my own bed. I have not gotten out of bed before ten every morning, and I am beginning to feel a little lazy :) I am so content just to sit back and talk with my brothers and my mom, and I can't wait til Spencer gets home from college so we can all be together. My family is going to Palm Springs for Christmas, but we are still decorating the house and getting a tree and all. Its so exciting this time of year and I feel very accomplished since I have completed all my Christmas shopping, and now have nothing to worry about :) I can't wait to see you all! Please, if you see me, come up and give me a hug because I would love to see as many people as I can during this short break!
Thanks!
Mikaela